July 2010

The Illinois News Broadcasters Association (INBA) is pleased that Gov. Pat Quinn has used his amendatory veto pen to reduce the scope of a bill affecting the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), but wishes the governor had fully vetoed the measure. HB 5154 would have exempted the performance evaluations of all public employees in Illinois from FOIA. Quinn reduced the impact of it by limiting the scope to only police officers.

INBA applauds Quinn for recognizing that 5154 was, in his words, "a departure from the groundbreaking legislation that I approved just last year, making our State's open information laws among the most robust in the entire country." However, it is important to understand that the governor's action to allow the shielding of law enforcement personnel evaluations allows a system whereby the public will not know if police officers are acting in accordance with the law, or abusing their power.

As a longtime fixture in DuPage County government and civic life, Rena Mack made the most of her opportunities to inspire others.

In fact, the people closest to the Woodridge woman almost all reach for the same word to describe her: "positive."

"One of her hallmarks was (the idea) that, when people are trying to affect change, you only focus on the positive," said Gary Mack, her husband of 32 years. "Her theory was, 'Let's talk about what's good and build upon that.'"

Mack, 58, died at home Sunday morning surrounded by family, after battling brain cancer for two years.

Why join INBA?

INBA played a huge part in preparing me for my broadcasting career. The INBA conventions connect students with on air talent and news directors who give feedback on now to improve your work. Through relationships I made at those conventions I was able to obtain my first on air reporting job.